image

Which project management qualification?

Graph showing the forecasted number of project management jobs.


< span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start">

Higher-level qualificationsUnderstanding the RACI matrix
A

  • These teach students to apply project management concepts and methods.RACI

Accreditation bodiesCross-functional teams working together

This table shows the 4 main accreditation bodies and their project management qualifications.Unclear or overlapping roles/responsibilities

Accreditation bodyOrganisational change or restructuringEntry level qualificationNew team formation. Assigning a Responsible person.Intermediate level qualificationIn practice, the RACI matrix helps
PeopleCertproject managersPRINCE2 Foundation to clearly assign each task to one or more Responsible persons. This helps to avoid confusion and ensure that everyone knows who is doing what. The matrix also helps in
PRINCE2 Agile Foundationstakeholder engagement		PRINCE2 Practitioner by identifying who needs to be consulted or informed at each stage of the project.
PRINCE2 Agile PractitionerThe RACI matrix is not always required, for example, for small and short-term projects or projects with a small team of stakeholders. In such cases, communication and coordination can be achieved in a less formal way. However, for most projects of medium and larger size, the use of a RACI matrix is a simple and effective way to organise work and improve communication.
Association for Project Management (APM)Creating a RACI matrixProject Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)Six steps guide to building a RACI chartProject Management Qualification (PMQ)
: List all the project stakeholders in the top row of the matrix.®

PRINCE2 Practitioner qualificationAPM PFQ blended online

IPMAFacilitate discussions to resolve conflicts by reviewing the project scope and objectives, clarifying role definitions and expectations, considering team members’ skills and workloads, making necessary adjustments to balance responsibilities, and documenting and communicating any changes.®Team members should have regular discussions about their RACI roles to avoid misunderstandings and encourage collaboration. is a registered trademark of IPMA in Switzerland and other countries.RACI and Agile project management

PRINCE2 Agile Foundation qualificationAlthough RACI is a common tool in the traditional project management, it can be adapted and integrated with

  • Difficulty level: Agile methodologieslow. as well. Here are some tips on how to do that:
  • Prerequisites: Use RACI for high-level project roles and responsibilitiesnone.Adapt RACI for each sprint or iteration
  • For: Focus on team roles instead of individual assignmentspeople wanting to learn how about project management best practices on Agile projects.Incorporate RACI discussions into sprint planning and retrospectives.
  • Covers: In understanding of the PRINCE2 methodology in Agile environments.Scrum
  • Reference book: , RACI can be used to define roles and responsibilities for each Scrum ceremony, epic, and user story. For example:PRINCE2 Agile (360 pages).A Product Owner is Accountable for prioritising and approving the product backlog items.
  • Study duration: A 2-day classroom, or 12 hours online.Scrum Master
  • Exam: is Responsible for facilitating the Scrum process and addressing impediments.1 hour, 50 multiple-choice questions.The Development Team is Responsible for delivering potentially shippable product increments.
  • Learning path: By using RACI in Scrum, teams can achieve a balance between structure and flexibility.PRINCE2 Agile FoundationRACI matrix variations and alternatives.In addition to the standard RACI matrix, there are several variations and alternatives that can be used for specific project needs. Here are a few examples:

PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner qualificationRASCI (adding the ‘supportive’ role)

  • Difficulty level: Supportivemedium.: People who support the Responsible person in completing the task.
  • Prerequisites:This could be useful for any of the following qualifications:projects
    • PRINCE2 Foundation that have resource needs and specialist help.
    • PRINCE2 Agile FoundationCARS (Communicate, Approve, Responsible, Support)
    • PMICARS is a simplified version of RACI that uses only four roles:®Communicate Certified Associate in Project Management: Similar to Informed in RACI
    • PMIApprove®: Equivalent to Accountable Project Management Professional (PMP)Responsible®: Same as in RACI
    • IPMASupport®: Combines Consulted and Supportive roles. Levels A, B, C or D.This can help making communication and approval fast and efficient.
  • For: DACI (Driver, Approver, Contributor, Informed)people wanting to learn how to apply best practices on Agile projects.DACI is an alternative to RACI that focuses on decision-making:
  • Covers: Driverapplication of the PRINCE2 methodology in Agile environments.: The person in charge of driving the initiative forward (similar to Responsible)
  • Reference book: ApproverPRINCE2 Agile (360 pages).: The person who has the final decision-making authority (similar to Accountable)
  • Study duration: Contributor2-day classroom, or 21 hours online.: The people who provide input and expertise (similar to Consulted)
  • Exam: Informed2.5 hours, 50 multiple-choice questions.: Same as in RACI.
  • Learning path: DACI works well for projects where decision-making is complicated.PRINCE2 Agile PractitionerChoosing the right model for your project.When choosing a RACI matrix model for your project, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key ones:

Association for Project Management (APM) qualificationsThe complexity and size of the project

The UK-based The structure and culture of the teamAssociation for Project ManagementThe decision-making processes in place (APM) is an educational charity. It is the largest independent professional body of its kind in Europe. The APM has over 13,500 individual and 300 corporate members throughout the UK and abroad.The communication needs and preferences

In 2017, The level of involvement of the stakeholders.APMThe key is to select the model that best fits your project requirements and helps to optimise clarity and efficiency. was awarded a Royal Charter as part of its strategy to raise awareness and standards in the profession.Benefits and limitations of RACI

The APM qualifications are available at introductory to advanced levels. Only the introductory and intermediate qualifications are described below.Advantages of using RACI in project management

  • .APM PFQ blended online
  • Covers: project management life cycle and related knowledge areas from the APMBoK.£749 +vat
  • Reference book: APM Body of Knowledge 6th Edition (the APMBoK) (258 pages).
  • Study duration: 5-day classroom or 35 hours online.Self-paced
  • Exam: PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner (with Foundation) self-paced online3 hours with 10 written questions, or 2 hours and 6 questions (for PRINCE2 Practitioners only).
  • Learning path: £1,399 +vatAPM PMQ .

APMG International qualifications

APMG offers the AgilePMSelf-paced®AgilePM Practitioner (with Foundation) self-paced online Agile Project Management qualifications£1,299 +vat in conjunction with the Agile Business Consortium. These are based upon the Agile Project Framework – the latest version of DSDM, one of the oldest Case studies and real-world applicationsAgile methodsSuccess stories of RACI implementation

by providing clarity on roles within Agile teams, such as during sprints. The roles in RACI can be adapted to fit the Agile environment, focusing on team roles rather than individual assignments. (PMI)Can RACI be used across different departments or only within a single team?®RACI can be used both within teams and across different departments or functions. It’s especially useful for projects that involve multiple departments, as it can help clarify roles and responsibilities across different areas of the organisation.. PMIInfographic®Subscribe to our exclusive offers and promotions certifications requires prior experience, so they are harder to obtain than the other qualifications listed above.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)Subscribe now® (introductory qualification)

  • if you already have PRINCE2.

I already hold one qualification and want anotherSimon Buehring

See the table of qualifications below. If you hold a qualification on the left, the recommended qualification is shown on the right.19 Feb 2026

Current qualification Recommended qualificationGet expert advice on passing the Practitioner PRINCE2 exam with our practical guide. Read on for invaluable tips and insights.
PRINCE2 Foundation PRINCE2 Practitioner or PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner
PRINCE2 Practitioner APM PMQ
PRINCE2 Agile Foundation PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner
PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner AgilePM Foundation/PractitionerAgile PMO
AgilePM Foundation AgilePM PractitionerSimon Buehring
AgilePM Practitioner19 Feb 2026APM PMQ or PRINCE2 Foundation/Practitioner
APM PFQLearn how a PMO can enhance organization value by supporting project goals. Discover the role of a PMO in modern business by scrolling down.APM PMQ
APM PMQ PRINCE2 Foundation/Practitioner
PMI CAPM ® PMI PMP ®
PMI PMPPRINCE2 exam pass rates® PRINCE2 Foundation/PractitionerSimon Buehring

Summary

There’s a lot of different project management qualifications to choose from. It can be a tricky choice choosing the right one for you. If you follow this guide, you’ll have a better chance of choosing the right qualification to meet your needs.

Subscribe to our exclusive offers and promotions
Subscribe now
Give us a call
Marketing